What Kind of a Battery Does a Semi Truck Take?

Semi trucks need a powerful battery that can handle the heavy-duty needs of the vehicle. The type of battery used in semi trucks depends on the make and model of the truck, as well as the size of the engine. Generally, semi trucks use either a 12-volt lead acid battery or a 24-volt lead acid battery.

12 Volt Lead Acid Battery

The 12 volt lead acid battery is a common choice for many semi-truck models.

This type of battery is usually made up of 6 cells, each containing 2 volts. There are two types of 12 volt batteries: wet cell and sealed maintenance free (SMF). Wet cell batteries need to be filled with water periodically to keep them working, while SMF batteries are completely sealed and maintenance-free.

24 Volt Lead Acid Battery

The 24 volt lead acid battery is more powerful than the 12 volt type and is commonly used in larger semi-trucks with larger engines. This type of battery consists of two 12 volt batteries connected together to provide 24 volts of power. Like the 12 volt lead acid batteries, there are also two types – wet cell and SMF – available for 24 volt systems.

Advantages

Lead acid batteries have several advantages over other types of batteries when it comes to powering semi trucks. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, durable, and long lasting. They also offer quick charging times and can provide high levels of current for short periods, which makes them ideal for starting heavy duty engines like those in semi trucks.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of lead acid batteries is that they are prone to sulfation – a build up of sulfate crystals on their plates – which can reduce their performance over time if not properly maintained. Additionally, they have relatively low energy density compared to other types of batteries, meaning they require more space for an equivalent amount of power output than other types do.

Conclusion

Semi trucks typically use either a 12 or 24 volt lead acid battery depending on their make and model as well as engine size. Lead acid batteries offer several advantages such as affordability, durability and quick charging times; however they also have some drawbacks such as being prone to sulfation if not maintained properly and having low energy density compared to other types of batteries.

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Susan Delgado